China Crisis For Forest?

Earlier this season Forest announced the ambitious plans of marketing the club in China, to try and take advantage of a potentially lucrative and growing economy.

The proposals were made in conjunction with local businesses, Nottingham City Council and the East Midland Development Agency. It all sounded a bit fanciful at the time and came just after the other big announcement of the summer, the new stadium plans.

Nottingham Forest had arranged for a three match tour of China to boost support in the country, but have cancelled due to there being too much interest. All sounds a bit strange really. Apparently 6 different cities are fighting for us to play the games there. Now I know we're a big club, but let's not pretend that we are Man Utd or Chelsea.

It may well turn out to be that there isn't too much interest in this from the Nottingham business sector and that's why the tour was postponed. It hasn't been cancelled, just delayed for a year until 2009. By then the City Council may have persuaded some of the local companies of the benefits to be had. It could also be that local business does not wish to become embroiled in the growing unrest that is occurring internationally with China and it's treatment of Tibet. All very political and much removed from football.

Forest Chief Executive Mark Arthur told the official site. 'We are delighted with the level of interest shown in the club tour, both here and in China. By postponing the tour we are confident we can ensure every participant can fulfill all of their ambitions in China.'